AC Replacement in Sarasota

When it comes up

Age, R-22 refrigerant, a major part failure or comfort problems

Sizing

A load calculation beats copying the old tonnage

Efficiency

Ratings are now published as SEER2

Permits

Replacement usually needs a mechanical permit

Signs it is time

• Age. Coastal Florida systems work long seasons, and many reach the end of their useful life sooner than systems in mild climates.
• R-22 refrigerant. New production and import of R-22 ended on January 1, 2020 (U.S. EPA, phaseout of HCFCs including R-22). A significant leak in an R-22 system is often the deciding moment.
• Major part failure. A failed compressor or a leaking indoor coil on an older system.
• Comfort. Rooms that never cool, a house that stays clammy, or bills that keep rising.

Size it for heat and humidity

Bigger is not better. An oversized system cools the air quickly and shuts off before it has run long enough to pull much moisture out, which leaves a Sarasota house cool but damp. An undersized one runs all afternoon and still falls behind. The industry method for sizing is a load calculation (often called Manual J) that accounts for the house's square footage, insulation, windows, orientation and air leakage. Many homes have had windows, insulation or additions changed since the last system went in, so the old tonnage is not always right.

Efficiency ratings

Since January 1, 2023, cooling efficiency is rated as SEER2 under updated federal test procedures, and minimum efficiency levels for new systems in the Southeast changed at the same time. A higher-rated system uses less electricity for the same cooling, which matters with a long season. Variable-speed and two-stage systems can also run longer at low speed, which helps with humidity.

Matched equipment and refrigerant

The indoor coil and outdoor condenser are designed to work as a pair. Replacing only one half of an older system can leave mismatched parts or different refrigerants. Anyone handling refrigerant must follow EPA Section 608 rules, including recovering the old refrigerant rather than venting it (U.S. EPA, Section 608 refrigerant management).

Installation details that matter here

• Drain line and pan. A properly sloped condensate line, a float switch and a secondary pan under attic air handlers.
• Ducts. A new system on leaky or undersized ducts will not perform as rated. See ductwork.
• Mounting. The Florida Building Code addresses how outdoor equipment is anchored against wind (Florida Building Commission (Florida Building Code)). In flood-prone areas, condensers are often set on raised stands.
• Coastal coatings. Near the water, ask about corrosion-resistant coil options. See the salt-air guide.

Permits and inspection

Replacing a central AC usually requires a mechanical permit. Inside the City of Sarasota that goes through the city's building department (City of Sarasota (building permits)); in unincorporated Sarasota County it goes through the county (Sarasota County Government (permits and emergency management)). Venice, North Port, Longboat Key, Bradenton and Manatee County have their own permit offices. A final inspection checks the installation against the code.

Heat pump or straight AC?

Many Florida homes use heat pumps, which cool in summer and heat on the few cold nights. If you are replacing a heat pump, a heat pump is usually the natural choice. See heat pumps.

Sizing up the job: see what shapes an AC replacement on the estimate-factors page. It lists what moves the scope, never a price.

Further reading

• Hurricane Season and Your AC in Sarasota
• Salt Air and Coastal AC Corrosion
• The R-22 Phaseout and Older AC Systems
• Hiring an AC Contractor in Florida

Sources for this page: U.S. EPA, phaseout of HCFCs including R-22; U.S. EPA, Section 608 refrigerant management; Florida Building Commission (Florida Building Code); Sarasota County Government (permits and emergency management); City of Sarasota (building permits).